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This conflict, though confined to Illinois,
is an important epoch in the Northwestern history, being the last war
with the Indians in this part of the United States.
Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or Black Hawk, was born in
the principal Sac village, about three miles from the junction of Rock
River with the Mississippi, in the year 1767. His father's name was Py-e-sa
or Pahaes ; his grandfather's, Na-na-ma-kee, or the Thunderer.
Black Hawk early distinguished himself as a warrior,
and at the age of fifteen was permitted to paint and was ranked among
the braves. About the year 1783, he went on an expedition against the
enemies of his nation, the Osages, one
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[picture inserted of]
BLACK HAWK, THE SAC CHIEFTAIN. |
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of whom he killed and scalped, and for this deed of Indian
bravery he was permitted to join in the scalp dance. Three or four years
after he, at the head of two hundred braves, went on another expedition
against the Osages, to avenge the murder of some women and children belonging
to his own tribe. Meeting an equal number of Osage warriors, a fierce battle
ensued, in which the latter tribe lost one-half their number. The Sacs lost
only about nineteen warriors. He next attacked the Cherokees for a similar
cause. In a severe battle with them, near the present City of St. Louis,
his father was slain, and Black Hawk, taking possession
of the "Medicine Bag," at once announced himself chief of the
Sac nation. He had now conquered the Cherokees, and about the year 1800,
at the head of five hundred Sacs and Foxes, and a hundred Iowas, he waged
war against the Osage nation and subdued it. For two years he battled successfully
with other Indian tribes, all of whom he conquered.
Black Hawk does not at any time seem to have been friendly
to the Americans. When on a visit to St. Louis to see his "Spanish
Father," he declined to see any of the Americans, alleging, as a
reason, he did not want two fathers.
The treaty at St. Louis was consummated in 1804. The next year the United
States Government erected a fort near the head of the Des Moines Rapids,
called Fort Edwards. This seemed to enrage Black Hawk,
who at once determined to capture Fort Madison, standing on the west side
of the Mississippi above the mouth of the Des Moines River. The fort was
garrisoned by about fifty men. Here he was defeated. The difficulties
with the British Government arose about this time, and the War of 1812
followed. That government, extending aid to the Western Indians, by giving
them arms and ammunition, induced them to remain hostile to the Americans.
In August, 1812, Black Hawk, at the head of about five
hundred braves, started to join the British forces at Detroit, passing
on his way the site of Chicago, where the famous Fort Dearborn Massacre
had a few days before occurred. Of his connection with the British Government
but little is known. In 1813 he with his little band descended the Mississippi,
and attacking some United States troops at Fort Howard was defeated.
In the early part of 1815, the Indian tribes west of the Mississippi
were notified that peace had been declared between the United States and
England, and nearly all hostilities had ceased. Black Hawk
did not sign any treaty, however, until May of the following year. He
then recognized the validity of the treaty at St. Louis in 1804. From
the time of signing this treaty in 1816, until the breaking out of the
war in 1832, he and his band passed their time in the common pursuits
of Indian life.
Ten years before the commencement of this war, the Sac and Fox |
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Indians were urged to join the Iowas on the west bank of
the Father of Waters. All were agreed, save the band known as the British
Band, of which Black Hawk was leader. He strenuously objected
to the removal, and was induced to comply only after being threatened with
the power of the Government. This and various actions on the part of the
white settlers provoked Black Hawk and his band to attempt
the capture of his native village now occupied by the whites. The war followed.
He and his actions were undoubtedly misunderstood, and had his wishes been
acquiesced in at the beginning of the struggle, much bloodshed would have
been prevented.
Black Hawk was chief now of the Sac and Fox nations,
and a noted warrior. He and his tribe inhabited a village on Rock River,
nearly three miles above its confluence with the Mississippi, where the
tribe had lived many generations. When that portion of Illinois was reserved
to them, they remained in peaceable possession of their reservation, spending
their time in the enjoyment of Indian life. The fine situation of their
village and the quality of their lands incited the more lawless white
settlers, who from time to time began to encroach upon the red men's domain.
From one pretext to another, and from one step to another, the crafty
white men gained a foothold, until through whisky and artifice they obtained
deeds from many of the Indians for their possessions. The Indians were
finally induced to cross over the Father of Waters and locate among the
Iowas. Black Hawk was strenuously opposed to all this,
but as the authorities of Illinois and the United States thought this
the best move, he was forced to comply. Moreover other tribes joined the
whites and urged the removal. Black Hawk would not agree
to the terms of the treaty made with his nation for their lands, and as
soon as the military, called to enforce his removal, had retired, he returned
to the Illinois side of the river. A large force was at once raised and
marched against him. On the evening of May 14, 1832, the first engagement
occurred between a band from this army and Black Hawk's
band, in which the former were defeated.
This attack and its result aroused the whites. A large force of men was
raised, and Gen. Scott hastened from the seaboard, by
way of the lakes, with United States troops and artillery to aid in the
subjugation of the Indians. On the 24th of June, Black Hawk,
with 200 warriors, was repulsed by Major Demont between
Rock River and Galena. The American army continued to move up Rock River-
toward the main body of the Indians, and on the 21st of July came upon
Black Hawk and his band, and defeated them near the Blue
Mounds.
Before this action, Gen. Henry, in command, sent word
to the main army by whom he was immediately rejoined, and the whole crossed
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Wisconsin in pursuit of Black Hawk and his
band who were fleeing to the Mississippi. They were overtaken on the 2d
of August, and in the battle which followed the power of the Indian chief
was completely broken. He fled, but was seized by the Winnebagoes and delivered
to the whites.
On the 21st of September, 1832, Gen. Scott and Gov.
Reynolds concluded a treaty with the Winnebagoes, Sacs and Foxes
by which they ceded to the United States a vast tract of country, and
agreed to remain peaceable with the whites. For the faithful performance
of the provisions of this treaty on the part of the Indians, it was stipulated
that Black Hawk, his two sons, the prophet Wabokieshiek,
and six other chiefs of the hostile bands should be retained as hostages
during the pleasure of the President. They were confined at Fort Barracks
and put in irons.
The next Spring, by order of the Secretary of War, they were taken to
Washington. From there they were removed to Fortress Monroe, "there
to remain until the conduct of their nation was such as to justify their
being set at liberty." They were retained here until the 4th of June,
when the authorities directed them to be taken to the principal cities
so that they might see the folly of contending against the white people.
Everywhere they were observed by thousands, the name of the old chief
being extensively known. By the middle of August they reached Fort Armstrong
on Rock Island, where Black Hawk was soon after released
to go to his countrymen. As he passed the site of his birthplace, now
the home of the white man, he was deeply moved. His village where he was
born, where he had so happily lived, and where he had hoped to die, was
now another's dwelling place, and he was a wanderer.
On the next day after his release, he went at once to his tribe and his
lodge. His wife was yet living, and with her he passed the remainder of
his days. To his credit it may be said that Black Hawk
always remained true to his wife, and served her with a devotion uncommon
among the Indians, living with her upward of forty years.
Black Hawk now passed his time hunting and fishing.
A deep melancholy had settled over him from which he could not be freed.
At all times when he visited the whites he was received with marked attention.
He was an honored guest at the old settlers' reunion in Lee County, Illinois,
at some of their meetings, and received many tokens of esteem. In September,
1838, while on his way to Rock Island to receive his annuity from the
Government, he contracted a severe cold which resulted in a fatal attack
of bilious fever which terminated his life on October 3. His faithful
wife, who was devotedly attached to him, mourned deeply during his sickness.
After his death he was dressed in the uniform presented to him by the
President while in Washington. He was buried in a grave six feet in depth,
situated upon a beautiful eminence. "The
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body was placed in the middle of the grave, in a sitting
posture, upon a seat constructed for the purpose. On his left side, the
cane, given him by Henry Clay, was placed upright, with
his right hand resting upon it. Many of the old warrior's trophies were
placed in the grave, and some Indian garments, together with his favorite
weapons."
No sooner was the Black Hawk war concluded than settlers
began rapidly to pour into the northern parts of Illinois, and into Wisconsin,
now free from Indian depredations. Chicago, from a trading post, had grown
to a commercial center, and was rapidly coming into prominence. In 1835,
the formation of a State Government in Michigan was discussed, but did
not take active form until two years later, when the State became a part
of the Federal Union.
The main attraction to that portion of the Northwest lying west of Lake
Michigan, now included in the State of Wisconsin, was its alluvial wealth.
Copper ore was found about Lake Superior. For some time this region was
attached to Michigan for judiciary purposes, but in 1836 was made a territory,
then including Minnesota and Iowa. The latter State was detached two years
later. In 1848, Wisconsin was admitted as a State, Madison being made
the capital. We have now traced the various divisions of the Northwest
Territory (save a little in Minnesota) from the time it was a unit comprising
this vast territory, until circumstances compelled its present division. |